THE DORALTO ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 256, 27 March 1914, Page 6

THE DORALTO ROAD.

(U'TU.IAI; UI'K.NINU CERLAtUXY. (Hie of tlm lirst lniit., of tlie Greater .m'u I'lyniouLli scheme in connection with tiie benefits conferred on tlie sub- ' urban districts was evidenced yesterday, v. lien, iu response tu tlie inwtatiun of tlie i'raiikleigh Park. Settler,.' Associatiuii, there was a representative gallnroig to celebrate the opening of the JJor- ' alto Koad bridge and the completion of the formation of the Doralto Road, which now completes connection between Vogeltown ami Frankleigh l'ark. Among 11i0.,c present were .Messrs. 11. J. if Okey, M.P., U. \V. Browne (Mayor), and lioi-oug'h Councillors .Jackson, Kibby. Sykes, and J. E. Wilson. Ihe arrangements for the opening were in charge of the Erankleigh Park Settlers' Association, of which Mr X. Allen is the secretary. Mr J. Gibson, president of the Frankleigh Park Settlers' Association, who was the first speaker, gave a brief resume of the objects of tho As-ociation. They had sent in many requests to til" Borough Council, which body had always treated them well, doubtless recognising that they did not ask for anything unless it was really required. The Association had also, lie remarked, helped the Borough Council, for, when voting on the proposals for Greater Xew Plymouth and for the tramways loan, tin: residents, influenced to a great extent by the Settlers' Association, had gone solid for the proposition. Moreover, when the electric light was extended to the district, most of the residents had had it installed. In tho course of further remarks, Mr Gibson said a pavement was required on Franklev I'oad. and he. hoped 110 attempt would b" made to divert tlie monev from that. Referring to the Beautifying Association and to to"wn-phiuning, lie remarked that tin' road would make a beautiful drive, and he hoped that some dav it would be carried across to Westown. He paid a tribute, to the good work done by the borough engineer (Mr Skitrop) and the contractor (Mr Cameron). Mr H. Okcv, M.P., remarked tjiat this was not the first bridge that he had assisted to open at the spot. He referred to a plank-and-wire structure which the present Mayor and he had placed across there, and endeavored to negotiate one moonlight night. He congratulated them on securing the brideas part of the Greater Xew Plymouth -cheme. He was a great believer in this, as it, was far better to have all the works under one head. He hoped, however, that they would not exnect too much from the Borough Council, which 1 »uld onlv expend money extracted from the residents by rates or raised l>v loans; and if works were, at times, refused them, it was probably because the liorough Council wa- considering the finances, lie was pleaded to congratulate residents 011 a forward move. Vrankleigb Park was a prettv "lace, and a noted place. Not 50 years ago, he said, the first owner, Mr W. King, had come out to the district in war time, and was killed by thq Maoris. There had been great progress since that time. He felt certain that 110 other province had a brighter outlook than Taranaki, but they would have to stir to keep things moving. His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. W. Browne) expressed his pleasure and that of the Council in accepting an invitation which in itself so fully expressed appreciation of the efforts of the Council to as early as possible fulfil the pledge given to suburban residents when the Greater New Plymouth was laid before them. Tell years ago the Doralto road was formed and metalled by Mr. Raxton on the Vogeltown side of tlu Huatoki river, from the Smith road to tho site of tho bridge which he was about to declare open. The completion of the. work by the Council now linked up the Franklev road, Woodleigh, and Togeltown, and .brought them into communication with the fifty acres of native bush adjoining Woodleigh, (which the town should make every effort to secure) and the beautiful views of the surrounding country, which were available from so many points along the new road. It needed no prophet to predict that the Doralto road would one day become one of New Plymouth's most popular drives. It could be made one of tlie most attractive resorts if tho drive could he continued along the bunks of the river to the Mill road. He hoped some Logan Campbell or Myers would be found in their midst. Apart from its scenic surroundings, the completion of the Doralto road was provided for in the loan as part of the scheme for reaching Woodleigh with the water supply. It might, be pleasing to them to know that the water mains were expected to arrive in Xew Plymouth in about four weeks' time, and in a few months the fear of a water famine, which had in the past often haunted suburban residents, would be removed. Within tire past twelve months the Council had extended the electric lighting to the outlying portions of the new borough, including Vogeltown, Westown, and Jloturoa.and had provided a large number of street, lamps on all thejnain roads in each district. They had' now within their reach the. same facilities as had residents in the centre of the borough. It gave him great pleasure to acknowledge the loyalty with which these merged portions of the borough had supported the tramway proposals, although they knew that a few years must elapse before they could expect o reap any benefit by extensions to their districts. They would be pleased to know that the dale lixed for accepting tenders was duly '27, and within twelve months from that date trams should In- running in Xew Plymouth. Mr Gibson then presented the Mavore-- w:lh a pair of <ilver scissois. with which she cut the ribbon that hud been stretched aero--, and declared tho bridge "l.'di, amidst apphiue. She the 1 drove ;iiVi>-s the bridge in a phaeton, accompanied by Mrs 11. ,T. IT. Okey and the Mayor. In response to a request for a speech. Mr Cameron, the contractor, said the bridge would last for-10 years, and would carry all the traffic required. It was a substantial wooden structure, fiOft long, containing two I.lft (iin simple spans and a 28ft tins- span. 11 had :i roadway of lift. An adjournment was (hen ni.ule to a pretty piece of bush near by, when' beneath some magnificent titoki trees afternoon tea was dispensed by Frank leigh Park and Vogeltown ladies.